Investigate the Next Mystery

Ayanokouji observed carefully. It was a young man of average height, with panic and confusion evident across his face.

The man who introduced himself as Otto had grayish, somewhat disheveled hair, looking like wild grass. His original green clothes were also stained with prison dust and appeared grayish.

The reason he was interested in Otto was precisely because of Otto's Divine Protection ability.

The ability to communicate with animals might not sound very useful, as there were no animals in the royal capital that could be utilized, but he knew that this ability had significant strategic value.

Previously, Ram had the ability to share vision with certain animals, and if Otto truly had a similar ability, he could use animals as spies, even instructing them to perform specific tasks and go to places inaccessible to humans.

In a way, Otto's ability was somewhat similar to Meili's, but its scope seemed broader. Meili could only control Demon Beasts, but if Otto's ability was genuine, he might be able to control more types of animals.

"Can you really communicate with animals?" Ayanokouji asked, looking at him.

"Yes... No, actually..." Otto realized his mistake and quickly continued explaining, "I can indeed communicate with animals. Ah... Actually, it's not just animals, but not all animals... No, no, I mean creatures that can make sounds! As long as they can make sounds... But I've never seen plants that make sounds..."

"I see." Ayanokouji observed him closely.

Despite the dim light, he could still clearly see the changes in Otto's expression. There was no doubt that what Otto said was not a lie.

"Do you know who I am?" Ayanokouji squinted and stared at Otto.

"Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, of course I've heard your name. Russell-sama just mentioned it, so I've heard it too!" Otto replied immediately.

Ayanokouji nodded and turned to Russell. "Russell, I want him."

"Oh?" Russell was slightly surprised by these words, "There are better products later. This one is too thin. Even if he's a slave, he shouldn't be able to do much."

"It's fine, he's the one." Ayanokouji's tone was very calm, but his words left no room for negotiation.

"Alright, since Ayanokouji-sama likes him, then he's yours." Russell smiled slightly, then unlocked the door and instructed his servant to take Otto out.

Although Russell had emphasized that the person named Otto had little value. After all, there weren't many animals in the royal capital, and his ability wasn't very useful, Ayanokouji knew its real function.

"Do you have clean clothes?" Ayanokouji turned and asked.

❀❀❀

Currently, at the oil factory in the royal capital, Otto held a bag of sacred gold coins in his hand and looked at the scenery in the air with a dull expression on his face.

"Have I been captured by Russell and turned into a slave? If it weren't for Ayanokouji-sama, would I have died in a dark place like a dungeon? Or am I treated as a slave without human rights by Russell-sama? Am I working hard everywhere?"

Otto's mouth was wide open, his eyes full of shock, and he couldn't help muttering oddly to himself.

"No, no, the cause is wrong. I was captured by Russell-sama because I failed to sell oil and am in huge debt. Was I sold as a commodity?"

"Hey, kid, are you still calling him Russell-sama?"

The oil merchant next to him shook his head and said.

"Not long ago, after the illusion of the future conveyed news about Russell, his whereabouts were unknown. He must have fled from the royal capital. Everyone in the royal capital is trying to capture him. Are you the person named Otto in the illusion?"

"No, no, no, that's not me!"

Otto quickly denied it. He immediately retrieved the money bag and hid it in his pocket.

"I won't buy the oil! Suddenly, I feel like I don't need it anymore, hahaha!"

With an awkward smile on his face, he quickly left the place, tightly clutching the money bag in his pocket.

❰❱SKY SCREEN❰❱

The camera panned, and Ayanokouji had left Russell's fortress with Otto, who had now changed into new clothes.

"Yes, thank you, Ayanokouji-sama, for saving me! I thought I was dead, and my organs might have been sent to the black market by Russell! I'm willing to be a horse too!" Otto's words were a bit unclear as his mouth was full of food just bought for him.

"I hope you're not planning to escape while thanking me." Ayanokouji said calmly.

"I, I, I don't want to escape!" Otto quickly turned to express his refusal, but in reality, he was indeed considering the possibility of escape now.

"As long as you are in the royal capital, it is impossible for you to escape." Ayanokouji said calmly, "If you are captured by my subordinates, you might die a miserable death, or even have your stomach cut open and your intestines pulled out."

"Uh! Ayanokouji-sama, please don't say such scary things with a normal expression! Cough, cough, cough!" Otto was startled by these words, and the food in his mouth almost choked him.

Ayanokouji looked at him. From their previous contact, he could sense that Otto had a good mind and wasn't cunning. With a bit of polish, he could become a good tool.

"Am I a slave to Ayanokouji-sama?" Otto asked with a confused expression on his face.

"No, you will follow me as a servant from now on." Ayanokouji said. If he treated him as a slave, it would certainly reduce Otto's favorability, so it would be more appropriate to accept him as a rescued vagrant.

After he told Otto about a few things to pay attention to, he said, "You should be aware that if some information is leaked, your intestines might be in danger."

"Ayanokouji-sama, please stop saying such bad things…"

Soon, the two of them returned to the mansion.

"Hello, I'm the vagrant that Ayanokouji-sama picked up from the streets..." Otto looked at everyone present and stammered.

"I saw him wandering the streets, and he had some Divine Protection and could speak to animals, so I brought him back." Ayanokouji introduced him to everyone.

"Hello, Otto!" Emilia also greeted him very proactively.

"Well then, let's prepare to return to the mansion later." Ayanokouji said to Emilia and the others.

He had informed Emilia and the others the day before yesterday.

Through Frederica's letter, Ayanokouji learned that Roswaal, Ram, and the villagers had not returned from Sanctuary. It was now practically certain that Roswaal had no good intentions.

To prevent Roswaal from plotting something in Sanctuary, Ayanokouji decided to go back and see the situation directly.

And Roswaal must have had hidden motives when he asked Frederica to return to the mansion before leaving.

However, Ayanokouji did not tell others about his suspicions of Roswaal. He only expressed them to Beatrice, who had a certain understanding of Sanctuary. Given Emilia's character, it might be difficult for her to accept it.

He didn't want Roswaal to know that he had become suspicious for now. If he told Emilia these things, Emilia would likely expose his weaknesses and attract Roswaal's attention.

Moreover, this time also allowed Beatrice to return to the Forbidden Library and restore more magical power. The previous fight with the White Whale had caused a lot of damage.

According to Ayanokouji's plan, he returned to the mansion with Otto, Emilia, and Beatrice, while Felt, Rem, and the others stayed behind to maintain their presence with Crusch in the royal capital.

Although Crusch had been loyal only for a few days, her reliable character was still trustworthy. Moreover, she had sworn loyalty to Ayanokouji publicly, so she would fully assist him.

However, due to Crusch's overly honest nature, it was impossible for Ayanokouji to entrust the dark trade between him and Russell to her.

Only Rom was a suitable candidate, but his intelligence wasn't very high and he could only handle some simple matters, so Ayanokouji had only asked him to temporarily take over some simple things with Russell while he dealt with specific matters and how to handle different situations first, so Rom could manage those things without difficulty in the short term.

After he returned, he would expand the trade project and find suitable agents.

This was also why Ayanokouji chose Otto. He needed a great pawn who could secretly handle transactions and affairs involving unseen people.

However, Otto was currently far from qualifying, and he had not gained full trust from Ayanokouji, so Ayanokouji chose to bring him along for both protection and training.

If he did not meet expectations, Ayanokouji would remove him from this world without hesitation.

Additionally, he had also prepared a schedule for Elsa. During his absence from the royal capital, he had clearly arranged everything she needed to do, considering all possible emergencies.

"Yes." Emilia nodded, "I'm almost ready. We can leave soon."

"Mhm, Ayanokouji-sama..." Rem slowly walked towards Ayanokouji, lifting her head, her blue eyes full of worry, "I feel like I can't help Onee-sama... Ayanokouji-sama, please help me protect Onee-sama..."

"Yes." Ayanokouji nodded at Rem, then turned to Otto, "Otto, can you drive a dragon carriage?"

"Of course!" Otto said quickly. He was afraid that if he said no, his intestines would be torn apart.

The scene shifted; days and nights passed, and Ayanokouji had returned to the mansion.

He looked around carefully. It had been a long time since they left the mansion, but the plants in the courtyard were still meticulously trimmed. It seemed that Frederica's staff was as capable as Rem.

"It feels like I've been gone for a long time."

After Emilia got out of the dragon carriage, she took a deep breath and said with a smile,

"Is this a rich person's place?" Otto widened his eyes and said with a surprised expression.

Although his previous family background was quite good, it was still far inferior to Roswaal's luxurious mansion.

"Ayanokouji big brother!"

The door opened, and a small figure rushed out from the mansion gate and hugged Ayanokouji.

"Long time no see, Meili." Ayanokouji said, extending his hand and gently touching Meili's hair.

Meili was wearing a black-and-white maid outfit from the mansion, which Ram and Rem wore when they were young. It looked a bit cute on Meili and also had a slightly mischievous feel.

Currently, Meili buried her head in Ayanokouji's chest with a happy expression. She hugged him and was reluctant to let go.

Seeing how close Meili and Ayanokouji were, Beatrice couldn't help but puff up her cheeks.

"Welcome back, everyone."

Frederica slowly walked out from the door and bowed to everyone, with a bright smile on her face. Her sharp teeth and long golden hair flew in the wind.